Various embodiments of a vortex thruster system is described herein that is configured to create at least three discrete thrust levels. In some embodiments, the vortex thruster system is configured to decompose a monopropellant and deliver the decomposed monopropellant into a vortex combustion chamber for generating various thrust levels. In some embodiments, the vortex thruster system includes a secondary propellant valve configured to deliver a secondary propellant into the vortex combustion chamber containing decomposed monopropellant to create a high thrust level. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Various embodiments of a vortex thruster system is described herein that is configured to create at least three discrete thrust levels. In some embodiments, the vortex thruster system is configured to decompose a monopropellant and deliver the decomposed monopropellant into a vortex combustion chamber for generating various thrust levels. In some embodiments, the vortex thruster system includes a secondary propellant valve configured to deliver a secondary propellant into the vortex combustion chamber containing decomposed monopropellant to create a high thrust level. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a propulsion apparatus of liquid propellant rocket engine. The propulsion apparatus of liquid propellant rocket engine, the propulsion apparatus including: a body in which liquid propellant flows; an injector core located inside the body; at least one outlet connected to the injector core to discharge combustion gas; and an injector for discharging the liquid propellant flowing into the body, wherein the injector is located in an area adjacent to the outlet, wherein the liquid propellant moves between a frame of the body and a frame of the injector core.

The invention is in the field of engine building technology and may be used in space technology or aviation. Liquid-propellant rockets with Laval nozzles are well known, and they have the following insufficiencies: (1) high fuel consumption rates, which lead to increased dimensions and engine weight and boosters; (2) a relatively low combustion efficiency, because the low mass of the combustion products are emitted into the environment; (3) the large length of the de Laval nozzles with increased expansion ratios increase the dimensions and the engine weight; (4) use of high temperature rocket propellants—combustion products—in the camera and de Laval nozzle. These insufficiencies suppress using liquid-propellant rockets in space technology. The goal of the invention is decreasing the influence of these insufficiencies and obtaining an engine with improved efficiency. The goal is achieved with the creation of an engine with the subsonic discharge of combustion products and the creation of a simple nozzle construction.

The invention is in the field of engine building technology and may be used in space technology or aviation. Liquid-propellant rockets with Laval nozzles are well known, and they have the following insufficiencies: (1) high fuel consumption rates, which lead to increased dimensions and engine weight and boosters; (2) a relatively low combustion efficiency, because the low mass of the combustion products are emitted into the environment; (3) the large length of the de Laval nozzles with increased expansion ratios increase the dimensions and the engine weight; (4) use of high temperature rocket propellants—combustion products—in the camera and de Laval nozzle. These insufficiencies suppress using liquid-propellant rockets in space technology. The goal of the invention is decreasing the influence of these insufficiencies and obtaining an engine with improved efficiency. The goal is achieved with the creation of an engine with the subsonic discharge of combustion products and the creation of a simple nozzle construction.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.

In one embodiment, an air-scoop includes an air inlet that air molecules enter the air-scoop through at an orbital speed when the air-scoop is moving through an atmosphere at the orbital speed. The air-scoop also includes a rotor that is rotated by a motor at a rotational speed, and the rotor includes multiple rotatable blade stages. A first one of the rotatable blade stages has a blade configuration that maximizes transparency of the first one of the rotatable blade stages to air molecules entering the air-scoop through the air inlet at the orbital speed when the rotor is rotating at the rotational speed. A last one of the rotatable blade stages has a blade configuration that maximizes opacity of the last one of the rotatable blade stages to air molecules in the air-scoop flowing directionally toward the air inlet when the rotor is rotating at the rotational speed.

In one embodiment, an air-scoop includes an air inlet that air molecules enter the air-scoop through at an orbital speed when the air-scoop is moving through an atmosphere at the orbital speed. The air-scoop also includes a rotor that is rotated by a motor at a rotational speed, and the rotor includes multiple rotatable blade stages. A first one of the rotatable blade stages has a blade configuration that maximizes transparency of the first one of the rotatable blade stages to air molecules entering the air-scoop through the air inlet at the orbital speed when the rotor is rotating at the rotational speed. A last one of the rotatable blade stages has a blade configuration that maximizes opacity of the last one of the rotatable blade stages to air molecules in the air-scoop flowing directionally toward the air inlet when the rotor is rotating at the rotational speed.

A combustor of a liquid rocket engine includes a nozzle unit including a regenerative cooling channel, in which the nozzle unit includes a fuel manifold outer shell, a combustor inner shell, and a combustor outer shell having a downward channel inlet, and the combustor includes a fuel inlet connected to a nozzle neck of the nozzle unit, a fuel manifold formed between the fuel manifold outer shell and the combustor outer shell, and in which fuel introduced from the fuel inlet flows, a downward channel connected in communication with the fuel manifold through the downward channel inlet, and extending in a downward direction from an upper portion of the combustor, a diverting manifold provided at a distal end of the nozzle unit and connected in communication with the downward channel, and an upward channel connected in communication with the diverting manifold and extending in an upward direction of the combustor.